10 Reasons Why Chris Nolan Should Stay Away From James Bond

All right, all right. Since it’s been sort-of unofficially confirmed that Sam Mendes is signed up for the catchily-named ‘Bond 24’, this is a bit academic but nevertheless his name comes up each and every time a new helmer is needed for the 007 franchise. In fact it was even believed that Christopher Nolan had been informally approached for the next Bond movie before Sam Mendes eventually agreed to return.

Around the time of Inception (2010)—and Christopher Nolan mentioning that film’s debt to the James Bond movies in general and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) in particular—the Internet nearly exploded with volleys of counter-attacks saying why Nolan would be the best or worst thing to happen to Ian Fleming’s superspy.

A couple of years later—and with Nolan the power behind Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel throne—we can possibly be a bit more rational about the pros and cons. Now here I’m just tackling the cons. A lot of this depends on how well his take on Superman works and/or is received, of course. So just consider these submitted for your approval…

10. Run time

Some consider them epic; some are still waiting for feeling to return to their buttocks. The fact is, Christopher Nolan makes looooong movies—and they’re only getting longer. James Bond has a similar history of outstaying his welcome with one too many padded action scenes—even On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Casino Royale have their longeurs, and by the time James Bond and Q are ballooning in to rescue Octopussy, you may yell at the screen.

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Hamish Crawford writes fiction more easily than fact. His first volume of short fiction, “A Madhouse, Only With More Elegant Jackets”, was published in 2011 from First Edition Publishing. He has an English degree from the University of Calgary and a Screenwriting M.A. from the University of Westminster, which leaves little space on the wall for his several PhD. rejection letters. His stories and articles have appeared in such publications as NoD and the Cult Britannia website (www.cultbritannia.co.uk). In September he will be speaking at a Doctor Who 50th anniversary conference in Hertfordsire. The owner of far more hats than heads, Hamish currently lives in Canada, and is disappointed that the preceding biography contains so few factual errors.
Visit his website: http://hamish-crawford.weebly.com

Discussion

12 Comments

What an excellent article! I’ve always felt Nolan just isn’t right for Bond, and this list sums that up perfectly. A great read. I especially agree with the point you made about Nolan’s films being incredibly centralised. That style would not suit the films whatsoever.

I know I shouldn’t take it personally, ‘Ed’, but for the record, I have seen all Nolan’s films (as I thought referring to The Prestige, Insomnia, and Memento might make clear) and enjoyed The Dark Knight Rises immensely. Try reading the article rather than skimming through the pictures– it’ll be OUR little secret. I did make clear at the top that I was only tackling the negative points, which doesn’t mean that positives don’t exist. Maybe you can write that article. I do feel you’ve given me an eleventh reason–unrealistic fans who idolize Nolan to the point that they can’t see that, while a talented filmmaker, he’s not without his flaws.

I don’t agree with this article Hamish.Nolan hasn’t directed a Superhero film before Batman Begins.He reintroduced Batman and the series was a commercial as well as critical success.Sure there are criticisms but who hasn’t been criticised??If Bond series eventually lands up with Nolan I would be looking forward to it as most movie lovers would be.

Your article assumes a little too much that “Nolan is going to make Bond like Dark Knight”.And some of your Reasons are Hans Zimmer,Nolan uses recurring cast members etc.Zimmer’s work is mostly well liked and I find no problem with him.Nolan’s favourite cast members do include people who can act.So even if he uses some of them I see no problem.

But is he ever going to make a Bond Movie??For now Bond is safe in the hands of Mendes who has done a good job.(Who also wasn’t considered a good choice by some’fans’)If Nolan makes a Bond movie I think most people will be fine with it.Like Jason pointed out before the positives outweigh negatives by a good deal.

I can understand where you’re coming and i always feel annoyed when fan-boys cite Nolan as the go-to guy for every big new film looking for a director despite not being suited (Star Wars for example) but i happen to think he would be a great fit for the bond world – also i think Memento’s Carrie Anne Moss was a great female character in a Nolan film.

So basically, you’re saying he won’t be a good director of a Bond movie because you didn’t like the story of Batman? (Which he didn’t write).. he didn’t write Batman you moron. The story was someone else’s, so don’t blame him for the characters and back stories you don’t like. Also, yeah, there’s no sex in these movies. Is this what you’re going to the movies for and judging them by? Whether or not there’s a good sex scene? Not every motion picture is a porn. Maybe that’s not the case on your home computer, but in the world outside, it is. You’re a moron.

Fantastic list. Nolan is a great film maker but he is very serious and cold (which isn’t a bad thing) with his grey cinematography. Bond films work better in exotic locations , splashes of humour here and there and yes a director who can do convincing romance is essential (unfortunately that is Nolans weak point). TDKR especially had very contrived romances between Miranda and Batman as well as with Catwomen and bruce being in love with Rachel was a bit forced. That said I wouldn’t mind him directing a Bond film as he is a very talented director but the obnoxious little fanboys will scream about how its the best bond ever and overhype the damn thing. In fact the last point in this article sums up why we don’t need Nolan to direct Bond.

And Nolan did write the screenplays for Batman Begins, TDK and TDKR as well as the stories for TDK and TDKR.

Shame on all the disrespectful commentators. As a nolan fan, a batman fan, and above all a bond fan, these are some of the fairest and most balanced criticisms of nolan i’ve seen yet (a great read). I do however believe that if he were to make a bond movie, it would be great. After all, he hasn’t made a bad movie yet, whether or not you like every single decision he makes. But these are certainly fair criticisms. If you are going to diagree at least do it with the same level of sesnsibility as the author.

As a huuuuge Bond-fan, i totally agree with this. Nolan is not a bad director, but, him making a James Bond movie, just no. This is how i think his Bond Movie would be like:

– Run time 2 hours and 45 minutes with bad pacing like The Dark Knight Rises and Batman Begins.
– James Bond in the movie for 45 minutes.
– The villain in the movie for 90 minutes.
– The bond-girl would be some sort of sidekick.
– The Bond girl would have some sort of weird reationship with James, and would obviously die in the end of the movie.
– Zimmer’s beautiful music just don’t fit into James Bond. (Haha, it seems like Zimmer is always Nolan’s best friend when it comes to the score of Nolan’s movies)
– And the stupid fighting-effects/editing (Example: Batman vs Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, it was so clearly that both Bane and Batman didn’t hit eachother)……

Interesting article. But I disagree with you on some points.
Just because the joker had no specific motivation why do you think that each and every Nolan character lacks motivation? Aren’t Batman and Gordon, even Dent strongly motivated? I know Nolan didn’t created them but how about Dominic Cobb? Isn’t he a strongly motivated character?
And your no sex point- I don’t mean any offence to you- is total BS. why do you think Nolan will kill even the bond girl? Anyway Bond films are generally PG-13 so even director of your choice can’t film ‘actual’ sex scene. Bond just romances with his girl. I am pretty sure that Nolan can handle that part.
Nolan will work with current M, Q and Moneypenny. And obviously, Bond. So don’t worry about current actors – they aren’t going out of business.